In celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th Anniversary, we’ve partnered with KaBOOM! and Youth UpRising to bring the spirit of Sonic the Hedgehog and the joy of play to the community of East Oakland, CA by designing and building a custom playground inspired by the iconic blue hedgehog.

On October 28th, volunteers from SEGA of America and members of the local community will construct the new playground in just one day. The playground will be designed by the very kids who will be enjoying it, making this new play space very special for the entire community. The space will provide more than 400 children in the East Oakland community with a safe place to play, creating an inspirational and fun location for all to enjoy for years to come.

“SEGA is very excited to partner with KaBOOM! to bring an amazing and unique new play-space to the kids of Youth UpRising and East Oakland,” says Marcella Churchill, Director of Marketing at SEGA of America. “There could not be a better way to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th Anniversary than to continue his message of energy, fun and play among the community with this playground and partnership.”

“We’re excited to be working in conjunction with SEGA and Youth UpRising to provide children in Oakland with a new playground,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! Founder and CEO. “Every child deserves to have a great place to play and with the new playground in Oakland KaBOOM! will move one step closer to our vision of a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.”

We’ll be taking lots of pictures from the build and have it all here for you on the blog the week after. We’ll try to update our Twitter and Facebook from the build, but no promises as we’ll be, you know, BUILDING A PLAYGROUND.

SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog playground will open for play the day of the Sonic Generations American launch date, Tuesday, November 1st at Youth UpRising, located at 8711 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605.

I can tell that Sega is now respecting Sonic as a character a hero again, and I want to cry with happiness as a result. Non-profit manners of celebration, such as this, are among the many things Sonic is now a part of that raise my spirits that he’s coming back. I hope I’m right.

Thank you, guys! Let us see a photo or two of said playground when it’s ready, would ya? Thanks!